Ring and pouch for high-speed-train staff systems.



No. 720,057. r PATENTED FEB. 10,1903. T. H. PATBNALL.

RING AND POUCH FOR HIGH SPEED TRAIN STAFF SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED APB.18, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES mvem-on MW-PM 4 awn-0M THE scams vErzRs co. PHOTQ-LITNCL.WASHINGTON. n, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS -I-I. PATENALL, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THEUNION SWITCH dc SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYL- VANIA, ACORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RING AND POUCH FOR HlGH-SPEED-TRAlN STAFF SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,057, dated February10, 1903.

Application filed April 18, 1902.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. PATENALL, of Wilkinsburg, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Ringand Pouch for High- Speed-Train Staff Systems, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which- I Figure 1 is a front elevation of mydevice, partly in section; and Fig. 2 is'an edge View of the same.

My invention relates to devices for holding a staff used inhigh-speed-train staif systems, this system being that in which a staffis taken from a locking device and is delivered to the engineer of atrain and in which another staff cannot be taken out of the lockingdevices until the one already taken out has been replaced in one of thelocking devices controlling this section of track. The staff, ring, andpouch are received by moving trains from cranes provided with means forholding the same, the cranes being placed adjacent to the track atblock-stations. The ring, pouch, and staff are delivered by devices onthe engines to catchers on cranes at block-stations. My invention isdesigned to afford complete protection to the staff, so as to preventits injury and at the same time enable it to be picked up by therapidly-moving train without damage to the staff and be delivered withequal facility by the train to a suitable catcher on a craneconveniently located at the side of the track for the purpose ofreceiving the ring, pouch, and staff. The crane with its catching anddelivering arms and the device upon the train for receiving anddelivering the ring and pouch are not described and claimed herein, butare made the subject of my copending applications,Serial No. 103,537,filed April 18,1902, and Serial No. 103,538, filed April 18, 1902. Theseobjects are attained in a simple and efficient manner by providing aring portion having a staff-holder, which comprises a spindle or othersupport by which the stafi is held in proper position and aprotecting-sheath within which the stafi is incased when on the spindle.

My invention further consists in certain Serial No. 103,536- (No model.)

features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, 2 represents a preferably U-shaped frame. The frame 2is provided with a rod or spindle 3, and this rod or spindle has an eye4, which surrounds a stud 5, formed on one branch of the U -shapedframe, which frame, together with the spindle, constitutes a ring. Thisframe 2 is also provided with a retaining-collar 6, which holds the eyeof the spindle 4 upon the stud 5. The opposite branch of the U-shapedframe 2 has an eye 7 formed upon it, within which the other end of thespindle 3 fits. Pivoted to this branch of the U-shaped frame 2 isalockingpiece 8, which is preferably a disk-shaped piece which is cutaway at 9 on one side, so as to permit the insertion of the end of thespindle 3 into the eye 7. A notch 10 near the end of the spindle 3 isprovided for the purpose of receiving the locking-piece 8 when turned soas to bring the curved portion of the same within the notch 10. I TheU-shaped frame of the ring is sufficiently elastic to allow it to besprung over the end of the spindle 3. A sheath 11, of rubber or othersuitable material, is placed around the spindle 3 and forms thenecessary protection to the stafi 12 to prevent its being injured whenthe device is in use.

The operation of my device is simple. A

staff 12 is placed upon the spindle 3, one end of which is permanentlysecured to one branch of the frame 2, and the sheath or casing 11 isplaced over the stafi 12, so as to protect it. The opposite end of thespindle 3 is then inserted in the eye 7 of the U-shaped frame, thebranches of the frame being sprung apart for this purpose. After thespindle 3 is in place the locking-piece 3 is turned, so as to enter thenotch 10 in spindle 3, thereby securing the parts in position ready tobe delivered by or to the moving train by suitable devices arranged tohold the ring, staff, and pouch.

The advantages of my invention will be appreciated by those skilled inthe art, since it is simple and durable and affords a holder for thestaff which permits the staff to be delivered and received at high speedwithout danger of injury to the staff or of missing the catching ordelivering mechanism provided at suitable stations along the railroad orplaced upon the train itself.

Many changes may be made in the form or arrangement of parts by theskilled mechanic without departing from the spirit and scope of myinvention, since What I claim is 1. In high-speed-train stafi apparatus,a staff-holder, comprising a staff-holding member, and a second memberengagingsaid staffholding portion and retaining the staif placedthereon, said members when united forming a ring; substantially asdescribed.

2. In high-speed-train staff apparatus, a staff-holder, comprising astaff-holding memher, a sheath or pouch adapted to fit around saidmember and the staff when placed thereon, and a second member engagingsaid stafiholding portion and retaining the staff and sheath thereon,said members, when united, forming a ring and pouch; substantially asdescribed.

3. In high-speed-train staff apparatus, a staff-holder, comprising aspindle forming one section of a ring, a second ring-section to whichsaid spindle is pivoted at one end, and engaging the free end of saidspindle at the other, said parts when united forming a staffholdingring; substantially as described.

4. In 'high-speed-train staff apparatus, a stafi, ring and pouch,comprising a staffholding spindle, a sheath or pouch surrounding saidspindle, and adapted to incase the staff, a U-shaped member to whichsaid spindle is secured at one side, and by which it is engaged by theother side, and a lock secured to said U -shaped member, engaging saidstaffcarrying spindle; substantially as described.

5. In a high-speed-train staff apparatus, the combination of a staff andring, or yoke, secured thereto; substantially as described.

6. In high-speed-train stafi' apparatus, a staE-holder, comprising astaff-holding member, and a second member engaging said stadholdingportion and retaining the stalf placed thereon; substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

THOMAS H. PATENALL.

WVitnesses:

W. L. MCDANIEL, J NO. M. LINDs'AY.

